TOYOTA GAZOO Racing consolidates position as Dakar 2021 reaches mid-point
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing is in a competitive position as the 2021 Dakar Rally reaches its mid-point Rest Day at Ha’il after the first week of competition. The sixth stage brought the rally from the town of Al Qaisumah to the city of Ha’il via a timed section that was shortened to 347 kilometres to accommodate late arriving competitors from the previous stage. Nasser Al-Attiyah and navigator Mathieu Baumel, the leading Toyota Hilux in the overall standings, finished the stage in third place, and retained their second position overall, slightly reducing their gap to the lead to 5min 53sec. Giniel de Villiers and Alex Haro opened the road after their win on Stage 5, but they lost 22min 20sec due to continued pain Giniel is experiencing with his neck as well as two punctures. Despite this, the pair moved up into top 10 in the overall standings. Stage 6 brought another solid result for Shameer Variawa and Dennis Murphy, who finished in 16th on the stage, and moved to 32nd in the overall standings.
The 2021 edition of the Dakar Rally started with a Prologue on January 2 to determine starting positions on the outskirts of Jeddah. Nasser and Mathieu placed their Toyota Hilux in the best possible start position for Stage 1 after finishing fastest on the 11-kilometre route. Dakar debutant Henk Lategan and co-driver Brett Cummings demonstrated their capabilities and would start their first Dakar Rally together in seventh position. Giniel and Alex encountered a throttle response problem at the start of the Prologue and finished in 18th position, while teammates Shameer Variawa and Dennis Murphy came in 26th.
Giniel and Alex were the best-performing TOYOTA GAZOO Racing crew with an eighth place finish after the 277-kilometre opening stage from Jeddah to Bisha, suffering three punctures that cost them valuable time. Prologue winners, Nasser and Mathieu, found it tough to open the route and lost 12min 34sec to the leaders, completing the first day in 10th place. Shameer and Dennis, who started from the 26th position on the road, put in a solid performance to finish the opening stage in 12th, 14min 59sec adrift of the leaders. The challenging first stage saw Henk Lategan and Brett Cummings lose 18min 31sec to the leaders, posting the 14th-fastest time. They suffered multiple punctures and found the navigation tough, but were in a good position for Stage 2, which featured a timed section of 457 kilometres between Bisha and Wadi Ad-Dawasir.
Winners of the 2019 Dakar Rally, Nasser and Mathieu, recorded their first stage win of the 2021 event by posting the fastest time on Stage 2. The strong stage result propelled them into third position in the overall standings, 9min 14sec behind the lead. After a good performance on the opening stage, Giniel and Alex lost more than 45 minutes due to navigational difficulties, completing the stage in 38th place. To make matters worse, the pair were penalised for missing a waypoint and ended in 23rd overall after Stage 2. Henk and Brett finished Stage 2 in 14th despite losing time after getting stuck in the dunes at the start of the stage. They lost additional time due to navigational problems and were in 16th position in the overall standings at that point. Shameer and Dennis lost over two hours on Stage 2 after getting severely stuck in the soft dunes near the start of the timed section.
Nasser and Mathieu recorded their second consecutive stage win when they powered their Toyota Hilux to the fastest time over 403 kilometres of dunes and sandy tracks that made up Stage 3 of the event, a loop starting and ending in Wadi Ad-Dawasir. The strong performance moved them into second position in the overall standings, just over five minutes behind the lead. Newcomer Henk and navigator Brett drove a perfect stage to record the second fastest time, trailing teammates Nasser and Mathieu by just 2min 27sec. The impressive performance rocketed the pair to seventh position overall as the leading rookie crew, 47min 25sec from the lead. Dakar veteran Giniel and navigator Alex started the day as the 17th car into the stage which brought more challenges for the embattled crew. Having lost more than two hours on the previous day, the pair suffered a broken driveshaft early on in Stage 3, which not only cost them time for repairs, but dropped them into the dust of slower competitors. Two punctures added to their woes, losing 37min 47sec. Shameer and Dennis also suffered a broken driveshaft early on, followed by five punctures, costing the crew more than two hours but they improved to 44th place overall.
Stage 4 of Dakar 2021 brought a third consecutive stage win for Nasser and Mathieu after they beat their closest competitor by 11sec over the 337-kilometre timed section between Wadi Ad-Dawasir and the Saudi capital Riyadh. The pair, second in the overall standings, reduced their gap to the overall lead to under five minutes despite their position as pathfinder at the head of the field. Henk and Brett pushed teammate Nasser throughout the day, even beating the Qatari through some waypoints. Henk showed maturity and skill to finish third on the stage, trailing Nasser by just 1min 30sec and moving up into fourth place in the overall standings. Giniel and navigator Alex initially looked on course for a solid result on Stage 4, but Giniel suffered from neck pains and had to reduce speed in the rough sections. They also lost time towards the end of the stage due to a navigational error to finish 15th. Shameer and navigator Dennis recorded a solid performance on Stage 4 despite starting down the order, and in the dust of trucks and slower competitors. The pair lost some time due to a navigational error near the end of the stage to improve to 43rd in the overall standings.
Opening the route once again on Stage 5, Nasser and Mathieu completed the 456-kilometre Riyadh to Al Qaisumah stage fourth fastest. The pair were able to limit their time loss to the leader, remaining in second position overall, 6min 11sec from the lead. Giniel, together with navigator Alex, mounted an impressive comeback after several challenging days to win Stage 5. Giniel and Alex were the 22nd car into the stage and made the most of this road position to win the stage by nearly a minute, leapfrogging from 22nd to 12th in the overall standings. Henk and Brett, who impressed on Stages 3 and 4, suffered an accident at the 19-kilometre mark after striking a ditch which sent their Hilux flipping end-over-end. Both were able to exit their Hilux, which came to rest on its side, unaided, and did not suffer serious injuries. After an initial medical check by the Dakar 2021 medical team, Henk was transported to Riyadh for further medical attention for his shoulder. As a result, the crew of no. 332 retired from Dakar 2021, bringing an end to the fairy tale debut for the young driver. Stage 5 also saw Shameer and Dennis record another solid stage, even though they started down the order again which placed them in the dust of competitors. They finished as the 28th car on the stage and improved their overall position from 43rd place to 38th, despite suffering two punctures and dealing with limited engine power that hampered their progress in the dunes.
With the Dakar Rally at its mid-point, the technical crews will now disassemble all three race cars before repairing or replacing any worn parts, and reassembling the cars in preparation for Stage 7. Following the Rest Day, crews will go straight into the Marathon Stage of Dakar 2021 which will see them journey from Ha’il to Sakaka on a gruelling 471-kilometre route over sand mountains and 100 kilometres of undulating terrain. Crews will have to service their own vehicles without assistance from the technical crews before taking on Stage 8 from Sakaka to Neom, where 375 kilometres of sandy terrain and stony tracks await. After the Marathon Stage, there will be a further four stages before Dakar 2021 concludes back in Jeddah on January 15.
Glyn Hall, Team Principal: “Today really was quite a good day for the team. Nasser was able to take some time off Stéphane Peterhansel but a puncture near the end probably lost him most of the time he had gained earlier in the stage. Giniel had two punctures, but his biggest problem was his neck which is still causing him much pain. Shameer was good today, despite one puncture. I gave him the target of 15th place in order to set him up for a good position on the Marathon Stage, and he came home in 16th, so I’m very happy with that. We’re happy to have all three cars here and no serious mechanical issues. So, tomorrow we’ll do our normal Rest Day strip-and-prepare to make sure that we’re fully prepared for the final week of the race.”
Nasser Al-Attiyah (No. 301): “Stage 6 was another difficult day, but we’re happy to have finished the first week of Dakar in the second position overall. We had two punctures today which were not easy for us to manage, but we’ll try our best to come up with some good strategies for the next week’s stages and continue to do our best in order to win this Dakar.”
Giniel de Villiers (No. 304): “There was a lot of sand on the stage today with lots of sharp, broken dunes. But, actually, a very nice stage to drive despite the continued neck pains that made it difficult to maintain our pace. We had two punctures which allowed Stéphane Peterhansel, Nasser and Yazeed Al Rajhi to pass us. But from the middle of the stage, Brian Baragwanath and I stuck together and completed the stage in close formation. We would have loved to be in a better position after the first week, but we lost a lot of time early in the rally. It is what it is and we’ll keep on pushing. In this race, a lot of things seems to be happening, so it won’t be over before the finish.”
Shameer Variawa (No. 330): “We started as the 55th vehicle into the stage this morning and we ended up in 16th place at the end of the day, so it was a really good day for us. The terrain suited our style, being both fast and rough. We followed a number of guys through the dunes, then we had a puncture. But once we changed it, we left them behind in the sand. Overall, a good day for us.”
2021 Dakar Rally Stage 6 Results:
3rd No. 301 Nasser Al-Attiyah/Mathieu Baumel, +7min 16sec
8th No. 304 Giniel de Villiers/Alex Haro, +22min 20sec
16th No. 330 Shameer Variawa/Dennis Murphy, +35min 35sec
2021 Dakar Rally Overall Results After Stage 6:
2nd No. 301 Nasser Al-Attiyah/Mathieu Baumel, +5min 53sec
9th No. 304 Giniel de Villiers/Alex Haro, +2hr 12min 12sec
32nd No. 330 Shameer Variawa/Dennis Murphy, +6hr 28min 33sec
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing ready to challenge for Dakar title again
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing is looking forward to challenge for the Dakar Rally title again despite a truncated year which limited the team’s training and testing as a result of the global pandemic. Nevertheless, in challenging circumstances, the team worked throughout the year, within the health and safety protocols to develop the new Hilux.
In a late decision, the team decided to take part in the Baja Ha’il double-header, the final rounds of the FIA World Cup for Cross-Country Bajas, with Nasser Al-Attiyah and Mathieu Baumel for an unconventional shakedown of the new Hilux. Nasser showed his determination to win the first round after a tough battle with Carlos Sainz, resulting in very close racing which saw the Hilux trade paint with the competition. Nasser narrowly missed out on victory in the second round due to a penalty that was levied post-race, and had to concede the World Cup title.
Despite only having raced in two international events before the 2021 Dakar Rally, the new Hilux has already proven its speed and reliability. The latest evolution of the Dakar-proven Hilux is a further development of the car that won the race in 2019, with refinements to many parts of the car. The suspension has been comprehensively re-tuned, while a new exhaust system has brought an improvement in the low-down torque curve of the naturally aspirated V8 engine from the Lexus RC F.
Due to the daily battle with tyre deflation throughout the 2020 edition of the Dakar Rally, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing has worked with Toyota Motor Corporation and GAZOO Racing Company to adapt a new tyre pressure monitoring system from the recently launched GR Yaris for the Hilux. This is an unusual role reversal where road car tech is being transferred back to rally cars, but is then expected to be tested to the limits in the white heat of competition. TGR Dakar Team also worked with partners at Motul to adapt the electronics and programming to ensure the new monitoring system works well with the Hilux.
The 2021 Dakar Rally will see TOYOTA GAZOO Racing field four cars, with a mix of experienced and relative newcomers to the sport. The team will again be spearheaded by 2019 winners Nasser and Mathieu, while Giniel de Villiers and navigator Alex Haro will be sure to mount a strong challenge for the title. New to the team is double South African cross-country champion Henk Lategan and his navigator Brett Cummings. The latter finished second in the testing Malle Moto category for motorcycles in 2014, and will be looking forward to returning to the rally. The team also includes former South African champion Shameer Variawa, who will be taking on his second Dakar Rally. He will have multiple South African champion navigator Dennis Murphy beside him in the car.
The 2021 edition of the Dakar Rally will again take place solely in Saudi Arabia, with crews setting off from the city of Jeddah on January 3. This year the route will follow an anti-clockwise direction, starting in Jeddah before heading south towards Bisha. From there, the rally will complete a stage at Wadi Ad-Dawasir, and then swing to the northeast for a one-night visit to the Saudi capital of Riyadh. Two more stages follow before the Rest Day in the city of Ha’il on January 9, signalling the start of the second half of the rally. Competitors will head north to Sakaka, before swinging westwards to the future city of Neom for two stages. Finally, the rally turns southwards via Al Ula and Yanbu, before reaching the finish in Jeddah on January 15.
Glyn Hall, Team Principal: “The 2021 edition of the Dakar Rally is more than just another race. In the turmoil of 2020 and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the rally seemed at times as if it would never happen. Even so, we continued to work on the development of our Hilux with our eyes on taking on the challenge, despite a lack of international rallies. Now, just a day away from the start of the event, we are extremely proud to be here, and we are confident that our car is ready to challenge for the title again for TOYOTA GAZOO Racing. Recent comments by our main competition, Carlos Sainz, was highly encouraging. He rated our Hilux as strong competition, and we will continue to push ourselves and our Hilux to the limits, in order to put up a good fight.”
Nasser Al-Attiyah (No. 301): “I know that the team faced many challenges to develop and prepare the cars for Dakar 2021. Even getting here was difficult. But we saw in Ha’il that the Hilux is really fast, and as reliable as ever. So, I am looking forward to the race, and will be doing my best to recapture the title for TOYOTA GAZOO Racing.”
Giniel de Villiers (No. 304): “Saudi Arabia proved to be a worthy host country for the Dakar in 2020, and it quickly became clear that winning here would not be easy. We’ve worked hard to prepare our car for the upcoming race, taking into account the lessons we learnt here last time. I’m confident that we have a great car, and I’ll be pushing for a good result for TOYOTA GAZOO Racing.”
Henk Lategan (No. 332): “I have a mix of emotions, as the start of Dakar draws closer. On the one hand, I’m nervous about taking on the world’s toughest race; on the other, I know the Hilux is extremely capable and reliable. I really want to get going now, and see if I can translate the speed we’ve developed in the South African championship to the stages of the Dakar Rally with TOYOTA GAZOO Racing.”
Shameer Variawa (No. 330): “The latest version of the Hilux has proven to be an extremely fast and highly reliable car. I can’t wait to take on the dunes of Saudi Arabia for the first time with TOYOTA GAZOO Racing, as my last Dakar was in South America. I’ve been fortunate to race the Hilux for some time now, and I’m confident of the car’s capabilities in any conditions. Now I just need to get the first stage behind me.”
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TOYOTA GAZOO RACING TO FIELD FOUR NEW HILUX AT 2021 DAKAR RALLY
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing will be entering four crews in the 2021 Dakar Rally, scheduled to start on January 3 in the Saudi Arabian city of Jeddah. The works team will consist of Nasser Al-Attiyah and navigator Mathieu Baumel; Giniel de Villiers and navigator Alex Haro; rookie Henk Lategan and navigator Brett Cummings; and Shameer Variawa and navigator Dennis Murphy.
The team, which has competed at the Dakar since 2012, will field a mix of highly experienced specialists, together with relative newcomers to the rally-raid world for 2021. This will give TOYOTA GAZOO Racing a strong attacking force in the form of Nasser and Mathieu; as well as Giniel and Alex, while building depth and experience in the form of Henk and Brett, as well as Shameer and Dennis. Since its first Dakar Rally entry, the team recorded best overall results of 3rd (2012), 2nd (2013), 4th (2014), 2nd (2015), 3rd (2016), 5th (2017), 2nd (2018), 1st (2019) and 2nd (2020).
As in 2020, the team will be spear-headed by 2019 winners Nasser and Mathieu, who finished second in the 2020 edition of the Dakar Rally. During a truncated 2020, they secured victory in the Rally of Andalucía and Nasser will be aiming to add to his tally of three Dakar wins. Giniel and navigator Alex will be hoping to build on their 2019 victory in the Rally of Morocco, which Giniel has won three times.
South Africans Henk and Brett will be joining the squad for 2021. While this will be Henk’s first Dakar Rally, he recently secured the highly competitive South African Cross-Country Series (SACCS) title for a second consecutive time and will be aiming to learn as much as possible from his first visit to the Dakar. Navigator TOYOTA GAZOO RACING TO FIELD FOUR NEW HILUX AT 2021 DAKAR RALLY Brett has competed in the gruelling race twice before in the motorcycle category, recording a second place in what was then known as the Malle Moto category for unsupported motorcycle racers in the 2014 edition of the race.
Finally, Shameer and Dennis, also from South Africa, will complete the four-car team. Shameer, who has won local championships in South Africa in the past, has taken part in the Dakar Rally before, but this will be his first outing with TOYOTA GAZOO Racing. Navigator Dennis has worked at the race in a technical capacity for the team in the past and is a multiple South African national champion navigator, but this will be his first time navigating in the Dakar Rally.
The team will compete in the latest version of the Toyota Hilux, built and developed at the team’s HQ near the iconic Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit in Johannesburg, South Africa. The current car is based on the race proven Hilux that was introduced in 2018, and features a mid-mounted engine, independent rear suspension and all-wheel drive. The car has seen significant refinements over the years, and its results on the Dakar Rally serves as proof of the reliability and toughness associated with the Hilux. Its first outing saw the team achieve a second and third place in 2018, followed by and overall victory in 2019 and second place in 2020.
The car has seen substantial development thanks the team competing locally in the SACCS. This allowed TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Dakar Team Principal, Glyn Hall, to refine the car on an ongoing basis, while getting valuable feedback from both Giniel and Henk in race conditions. For 2021, the overall layout and geometry of the car remains unchanged, but refinements to the suspension and the naturally aspirated V8 engine have ensured that the latest version of the Hilux is as competitive and reliable as ever.
One major change to the 2021 race Toyota Hilux is in the exterior design, which now reflects the latest version of the production Toyota Hilux. The new 2020 Hilux combines a striking new front design, the addition of a powerful 2.8 litre powertrain and improvements to both its on- and off-road performance with greater comfort, upgraded equipment and an expanded model range. The front of the new 2020 Hilux has been completely redesigned with a bold, powerfully three-dimensional new grille and front bumper treatment which significantly increases the pick-up's road presence and strong stature, whilst reinforcing its tough, robust, go anywhere credentials.
The new DOHC (1), 16 valve, 2755 cc diesel engine generates 150 kW/ 204 DIN hp at 3400 rpm and, with automatic transmission, 500 Nm of torque between 1600 and 2800 rpm. Maximum torque for manual transmission versions is 420 Nm between 1400 and 3400 rpm.
The 4x4 Hilux's already peerless off-road credentials have been further enhanced by the addition of a new electronic function (that can be activated in 2WD mode) replicating the effect of a mechanical limited-slip differential for improved traction on low grip surfaces in 2-wheel drive mode (available on 4WD models only); the lowering of engine speed at idle from 850 to 680 rpm and a tuned accelerator response for greater driver control; an updated VSC system; dedicated Variable Flow Control (VFC) map for appropriate steering effort, and a new tyre angle monitor.
Further reinforcing its go-anywhere credentials, the Hilux boasts class-leading minimum running ground clearance of 310 mm on Double-cabs, all-important approach and departure angles of 29 and 26 degrees respectively, and the ability to wade to a depth of 700 mm.
The 2021 edition of the Dakar Rally will again take place solely in Saudi Arabia, with crews setting off from the city of Jeddah on January 3. The 2021 route will traverse similar terrain to that encountered on the 2020 edition, but the organisers have promised all-new sections the ensure a competitive race. The traditional rest day will take place on January 9 in the city of Ha’il, before the route loops back to Jeddah for the finish on January 15. The 2021 route is also expected to feature two looped stages which start and end at the same place, as well as the traditional Marathon Stage which competitors will have to complete without an overnight return for service in the bivouac.
A new digital roadbook will be introduced for the 2021 edition, with the route only made available right before the start of each stage. This approach was trialled for select stages at the 2020 Dakar Rally but will become the norm. This new format not only adds an extra level of unpredictability but also makes the entire process easier to administer and control by race officials.
Glyn Hall, Team Principal: “We are very excited about the 2021 edition of the Dakar Rally, especially given the circumstances with the COVID-19 pandemic, which has reigned in a lot of motorsport during the course of this year. As things stand, the race is set to go ahead early in the New Year, and we are overjoyed to be entering four proudly South African-built and developed Toyota Hilux in the race.”
Nasser Al-Attiyah: “I am so happy to be back at the Dakar, driving the Toyota Hilux again. We won with that car in 2019, and finished second in 2020. Now it is time to go back to Saudi and challenge for victory again.”
Giniel de Villiers: “The Dakar is always a tough race, and last year proved that Saudi Arabia lived up to the toughness of the Dakar. We’re looking forward to taking on the race again in January, and we are ready for another tough challenge in the dunes and tracks of Saudi. The Hilux feels better than ever, and I’m confident that we have the right car for the upcoming race.”
Henk Lategan: “Racing in the Dakar has been a dream for me. Even after winning two championships in South Africa, taking on the world’s toughest race is a daunting prospect. I’m just glad I have Brett with me, who has competed twice at the Dakar already. Having competed in local cross-country rallies in South Africa, I’m very familiar with the Hilux, which helps a lot, too.”
Shameer Variawa: “My previous experience at Dakar left me wanting more from the race. Now, as part of a works team, I’m looking forward to taking on the race again, and I’ll be aiming to learn as much as possible. With that said, I’m also looking to record some good results, and will try to find a balance between speed and strategy early on.”
Left to right: Nasser Al-Attiyah and Mathieu Baumel
Nasser Al-Attiyah (Qatar), Driver
Career Highlights:
- Dakar Rally Winner (2011, 2015, 2019)
- FIA World Cup for Cross Country Rallies Winner (2008, 2015, 2016, 2017)
Mathieu Baumel (France), Navigator
Career Highlights:
- Dakar Rally Winner (2015, 2019)
- FIA World Cup for Cross Country Rallies Winner (2015, 2016, 2017)
Left to right: Giniel de Villiers and Alex Haro
Giniel de Villiers (South Africa), Driver
Career Highlights:
- Dakar Rally Winner (2009)
- Rally of Morocco Winner (2003, 2006, 2007, 2019)
Alex Haro (Spain), Navigator
Career Highlights:
- Dakar Rally 2nd (2019)
Left to right: Henk Lategan and Brett Cummings
Henk Lategan (South Africa), Driver
Career Highlights:
- South African Cross-Country Champion (2019, 2020)
Brett Cummings (South Africa), Navigator
Career Highlights:
- South African Cross-Country Navigator Champion (2019, 2020)
- 2nd in Malle Moto, Dakar 2014
Left to right: Shameer Variawa and Dennis Murphy
Shameer Variwa (South Africa), Driver
Career Highlights:
- South African Off-Road Champion (2000)
Dennis Murphy (South Africa), Navigator
Career Highlights:
- South African Cross-Country Navigator Champion (2013, 2014, 2015, 2018)
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